Abstract:
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disclose the variants
of concern (VOC) including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P1), Delta
(B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529). Its spike protein (S) present on the surface of the
virus is recognized by the host cell receptor, the angiotensin-2 converting enzyme (ACE2)
which promotes their entry into the cell. The mutations presented by VOCs are found in
RBD and the N-terminal region of S protein. Therefore, mutations occurring in RBD can
modify the biological and immunogenic characteristics of the virus, such as modifying the
spike affinity for ACE2, increasing the virus transmissibility, or conferring the ability to
escape the immune responses. The raise of a potential new SARS-CoV-2 variant capable
of evading the host defenses at the same time maintaining its fitness justifies the
importance of continued genetic monitoring of the pandemic coronavirus.
